Ecological notes: Much work has been done on
this species (e.g. Cott, 1929; Alexander and Ewer, 1969; Gross et al., 1966;
Hogue and Bright, 1971; Pereyra Lago, 1989; Micheli et al., 1991; Steinke
et al., 1993; Emmerson and McGwynne, 1992; Dahdouh-Guebas et al., 1998,
1999; Skov, 1999; Gillikin, 2000). Their burrows are described in Gillikin
(2000) and their burrowing behavior has been studied by Micheli et al. (1991).
They found that this crab (maximum carapace width 4 cm) spends a significant
amount of time maintaining its burrow, which lasts approximately three weeks
before collapsing, and that they displace and mix up, one quarter of the
upper 20 cm of soil per year (assuming most activity is confined to this
depth). Neosarmatium africanum burrows are smaller (4 to 6 cm in diameter)
than C. carnifexburrows, more irregular in shape and are never hooded (Micheli et al.,
1991). Additionally, excavation pellets of N. africanum are roundwhile those of C. carnifex are rod-shaped
(Hogue and Bright, 1971). This species has also been shown to be important
in leaf-litter removal (Micheli et al., 1991; Emmerson and McGwynne, 1992;
Steinke et al., 1993), capable of removing more leaves than the trees can
produce (Olafsson et al., 2002). Additionally, Hartnoll (1975) reports this
species as being common in areas of freshwater influence. They can survive
salinities as high as 65 for one month, but not without high energy expenditure,
which probably would result in eventual death (Gillikin et al., in press).
Burrow associates include: Sesarma ortmanni
(Gillikin, 2004), mosquito larvae and amphipods (Gillikin, 2000).

Geographical range: N. africanum is only found in Africa. Previously, this species was lumped with the N. meinert complex which is present in the Indo-Pacific including northern Australia (Vannini and Valmori, 1981; Davie, 1994). However, recent work by Ragionieri et al. (2012) have split this into 4 new species, with N. africanum being the African species (East Africa, South Africa, and Madagascar).

Cott, H.B., 1929. "The zoological society's expedition to the
Zambesi, 1927: No. 2. Observations on the natural history of the land crab Sesarma
meinerti, from Beira, with special reference to the theory of warning colours."
Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1929: 679-692.